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SHEEP RAISING IN TEXAS. The Gonzales Inquirer says: A flock of some fifteen hundred head of Mexican sheep and goats crossed the river at this place last Thursday, going East. In order that the reader may form some idea of the extent of this business in our State, we will here remark that, from a safe cal culation of one of our sheep-raisers, it is estima ted that not less than one-fourth of a million of sheep have been brought into Texas from Mexi co since the Ist of January last, exclusive of those imported from Tennessee, Illinois, Missou ri and Arkansas. It is also estimated that by the Ist of next January this number will have been doubled, thus making something like half a million of sheep brought from Mexico into our State during the year. Os the number already brought in it is thought that about seventy or eighty thousand have crossed the river at this place.” Nothing gives us more pleasure than to copy evidence of the growing prosperity of the South. "We find from close observation, that the Texas Musquite grass is one of the best growing plants that can be grown in Georgia, and no reader can do us so great a favor in any other way as to tell us how we can obtain a few bushels of the seed of this southern grass for cultivation in this State. Even a few pounds or ounces will be thankfully received. Our collection of grasses is already respectable, and constantly increas ing. [Written for the Southern Field and Fireside.] ENGLISH GRASSES. Mr. Editor: Sir : Why is it we do not raise the English grasses at the South—such as tim othy, orchard and blue grass; also red, white, and French clover, or as the latter is more com monly called, lucerne ? The only reason that can be assigned for it is, we have never tried them thoroughly, and therefore do not know their true value. Many planters at the South think they cannot be grown, for the reason when once well sot in grass, their land can never be cultivated in other crops without being injured to a great ex tent or causing a great amount of labor to keep the grasses trom growing. I will admit such would be the cas# with Bermuda or Guinea grass, but not with the kinds above alluded to; for when once plowed under with a good two horse mouldboard plow, they are no more.— Others think our climate so warm that grass must inevitably be killed, or its growth so re tarded that it would be of little value to them. My experience in Virginia for the last fifteen years (where I was raised) with my father, who has grown and cut from 100 to 150 tons of good hay annually, and my short experience in Clark county Ga., have proven to my satisfaction that we cau grow as fine hay, have as fine green fields and meadows as any farmers in the Union, and raise stock much cheaper than they can in the Northern States. Furthermore, wo can accom plish a great good to our Heaven-blessed south . em country, by reclaiming and improving our worn out and exhausted lands that were once rich and fertile, possessing, as wo do, a climate not surpassed on the globe. The only way to attain this great object is to raise grass and stock. Select the proper land and seed, then be carefiil in plowing to see that the land is well broken up and turned over, to the depth of eight or twelve inches with a good two or three horse plow. Harrow thoroughly with a good iron harrow, so as to leave no holes or cracks that the seed can get down in, for grass seed require but a slight covering. Some, a little more than others. Then let your seed be sown evenly over the ground, for a great deal depends on getting a good set. The only way inexperienced hands can do it, is to sow half your seed one way, and then turn and sow the balance the other way; that is, crossing the way it was first sown.— Timothy and clover should be sown at the rate of eight quarts to the acre ; orchard grass from one and a half to two bushels. In covering tim othy and clover seed, I find that our rollers cov er it sufficiently, and much better than anything else. It packs the earth close around the seed, and enables it to germinato in a few days. It also crushes the clods, and leaves the ground in proper order for the scythe. Where the ground is free of clods in sowing orchard grass I think it best to run a light wooden harrow over before rolling, as it requires a little moro covering than the other kinds. I believe our best time for sowing grass seed in the South is in October, and the early part of November, for the reason that the young grass has plenty of time to get well rooted before the next summer’s dry and hot weather comes on it, although grass seed can be sown any month in the year at the South by sowing some plant with it to shade arid protect it from the hot sun when quite young. One of the the surest ways to obtain a good stand of grass, is to sow it with corn immediately after the last working, and run a small light harrow between the rows of corn to cover the seed. The corn shades the young grass which will show itself in a few days; by the time the com is harvested it is able to stand what sun comes upon it with out injury, providing the land is good. The above directions, from tho pen of Mr. Os car Bailey, give the reader a clear and concise statement ot the most approved plan of seeding land to the English grasses. Mr. 8.. will soon have 100 bushels of orchard grass seed of this year’s growth in Augusta, and seeds of the best other grasses ; and we have mado arrangements with him to supply such of our readers as may de sire a bushel or such a matter, of seed. Ad dress the agricultural editor of this paper. ——— — Kill Your Rats. — The London Gardener's Chronicle gives the following receipt for a poison for Vermin. It has long been sold under various names; but has generally been kept secret.— There is no doubt but that it is the best poison known; and thus prepared, will not take fire of itself. Our country Druggists, making up a quantity at a time, might sell it to great advan tage. Introduce one drachm of phosphorous in to a Florence flask, and pour over it one ounce of rectified spirits. Immerse the flask in hot Water until the phosphorous has melted, then put a well fitting cork into the mouth of the flask, and shake it briskly, until the contents are cold. Tho phosphorous will now be found to be in a finely-divided state; auu this-, after pour ing off the spirit, is to be mixed in a hfortar with an ounce and a half of lard. Tho mlxturt takes place without combustion, and a little spirit re maining does no harm. Five ounces of flour, and an ounce and a half of brown sugar, pre viously mixed, are now to be added, and the whole may be made into a paste with a little water. Cheese may be used instead of sugar, when intended for rats and mice. If meadow-moles are injuring an orchard, take blocks of wood and bore inch holes in them; fill these holes with meal, mixed with this poison, and lay the blocks in different parts of the orch ard, near the trees. This composition is equally good for roaches, and may, it is said, be applied to beds for bugs. XKE SOVXK3EM £X££>» AStS »XE£SXS£. [Written for the Southern Field and Fireside.] ROTATION OF CROPS. Green Mt., Burke Co., Aug. 10th, 1859. Dr. Daniel Lee —Dear Sir: In a pre vious communication we endeavored to embody some practical truths, and promised a continua tion of the article. In compliance we introduce, first, rotation of crops, as a means of prolonging and increasing the fertility ofland. The earliest records of Agriculture bear evidence of the existence of some knowledge both of the princi ple and practice of change of crops. However imperfect and inadequate in this day of agricul ture, science and knowledge, we may deem the systems of by-gone days, it cannot but be ac knowledged that they were preferable to none at all—yea, more that, in many instances, they were based on more scientific principles than those practiced by many intelligent planters of modern times. Wherever civilization and sci ence have shed their rays, and tilling the earth is followed for subsistence and gain, there some manner of rotation is considered indispensable to the attainment of the greatest success. In short, the bare fact of all nations at all versed in agricultural knowledge practicing some sys tem of rotation, evidences its great value. That there exists an urgent necessity for a change of crops on all lands however fertile, and especially on exhausted soils, it seems to me at this enlightened day, no well informed planter can entertain a doubt. Long since series of well conducted experiments have shown where lands have failed to produce one crop remuneratively, by appropriating them to some other requiring different elements, or the same elements in other proportions for food, they have again richly re warded the labors of the husbandman. The earth in every field we cultivate, contains so much lime, potash, soda, phosphoric acid, am monia, Ac., and every crop we grow consumes more of the one and less of another of these ele ments, agreeably to the laws regulating its nour ishment. Agricultural chemistry as well as the universal experience of farmers, however, teach the fact that all plants exhaust the soil in some degree. The different elements of food which vegetables require, exist in every fertile soil in various combinations and proportions, and by the assistance of water taking them up in solution, feed plants through. their roots. When the same crop, as for example, corn, is grown on tho same land for several consecutive years, it re quiring a large proportion of the phosphates, the supply of these elements must become inade quate where no return is made to the soil in the way of manure, except the roots, stalks, and what little may be derived from the air, rain and dew. If the effort, by simply manuring, is made to keep a supply of these ingredients suf ficient to insure a heavy crop, the expenditure in labor, or money, or both, is necessarily so great that there can be only a very small profit ob tained. This method is but little better than buying the corn, and requires ready capital for its prosecution. What, to us, seems to be the most perfect system of farming, is the obtaining the heaviest crops with the expenditure of the least amount of labor and money; and a succes sion of crops will contribute greatly to accom plish this result. Again, science and experience teach that all plants do not exaust the soil in the same ratio. The natural sources from whence all vegetables derive their nourishment, arc limited to the at mosphere, water, and the soil. It is a well es tablished fact that one class of plants rely more exclusively on the soil for their pabulum than others; and of this variety are the small grains and many of tho grasses. They present but a limited surface of the air, rain and dew in con sequence of their small stems and narrow leaves the texture of whose surface being soft and gla zed, rendering them unfavorable to absorption, must obtain their food principally from the soil When the above plants and all others analogous, are allowed to mature their fruit, and is then re moved from the field, the amount of exhaustion which the soil sustains is great; because of the much it gives to, in the way of food, and the little in the way of manure it receives in return from these plants. Another class of plants, very abunuant and contributing largely to the substance and com fort of the animal kingdom, obtain an important part of their nourishment from the atmosphere. Supplied with numerous, large, rough and porous leaves, thereby exposing much surface to at mospherical influences, they imbibe carbonic acid and water, freely. To this class belong corn, the different varieties of sugar-cane, the cotton plant, beans, peas, and many others. A third class, seeming but little dependent on the soil, obtain their nourishment from water and the air. Os this number are the mosses, lichens, the fresh water grasses and weeds, and sea weeds. These play a part in the economy of nature, extracting from the two sources of vegetable nutrition least used, elements for food by which they are nourished and enabled to fabricate material to bestow on the soil. Another principle, showing the value and ne cessity of succession of crops is, that different kinds of plants do not exaust the soil in the same degree, and of the same elements of food in the same proportions. Chemical analysis of the ash of different kinds of plants show them to contain in their composition, different propor tions of Phosphoric Acid, Potash, Soda, Lime, Ac., as for example, the grains are composed of a largo per centage of the Phosphates—the roots, potatoes, turnips and beets of Potash and Soda; while the grasses have an excess of Lime, all of which elements are furnished by the soil. Plants differ also in respect to the parts of the soil from which they obtain their food. Tho grains are supplied with numerous fibrous roots which branch out and run superficially in every posible direction in quest of aliment. They of course appropriate to themselves oniy the sur face soil with which alone their roots come in contact. Another variety more independently endowed, possessing both a tap-root and super ficial radicles, extract nourishment both from tho surface and the subsoil —to this class belong the cotton plant. Still another variety, as beets and turnips, possessing only a tap-root without superficial radicle i, receive their nutriment from the limited portion of earth in contact with the lower part ot their roots, Tho value of rotation of CFops is manifested in another consideration, that “all plants do not re store to the soil either the same quality or the samo quantity of manure.” We have already shown, in a previous part of this communication, that all plants require to be furnished with cer tain elements of food for their organization, and that each class fabricates a structure as to amount and character of constituents, peculiar to itself. For illustration, the corn plant produ ces a grain containing more Phosphoric Acid, and a stalk containing less Silica than the wheat plant. The grasses also produce a straw rich in Lime and Soda, while wheat-straw is poor in these substances. Hence, we are correct in say ing that whatever may be returned, in the way of manure, to tho soil by these plants, must partake of tho nature of their constituents. Again, were the entire product of plants re turned the soil, there would be no deterioration of its fertility excepting that arising from tho es- sects of tillage and other extraneous causes. The fact tliat the soil sustains a heavy diminu tion of its elements of fertility, by cultivation, must be evident when we consider the solvent power of water and the immense influence of the heat of the sun's rays in producing its evapora tion. To the loss sustained by tillage must be added the amount consumed by the crop which when it matures its seed is greatest, aud less is returned to the soil in consequence of the part lett on the ground having parted with most of its nutritive matter in maturing the fruit. We are able to see then that the quantity of restitution made to the soil, by most plants, depends on the stage of growth at which they are removed from the earth, and the amount and kind of roots, stalks and stubble left upon the soil. Some plants, however, are different from others, as the leguminous tribe, always making a liberal restoration to soils, whether they be allowed to ripen their seed, or be mowed, or depastured. Still another advantage of a rotation of crops, independent of the benefit accruing to the soil, is the assistance it renders to the fanner in keeping down the classes of insects which feed on his crop. It is well known that insects, like the higher order of beings, manifest a choice in the plants on which they feed, and that they increase and multiply, other things being favora ble, just in proportion to the facility and ease with which they procure their food. No plant, however unpalatable and even poisonous it may be to one tribe of insects, but answers as savory and wholesomo diet for another. Experience and observation have shown us that the insects Hessian Fly, Chinch Bug and Bud-worm, which feast on and almost destroy the grain crops, rarely over disturb or injure the cotton plant. So too is it with the 8011-worm, Aphis and Catterpiller, enemies of the cotton plant, they never molest the corn, wheat, oats and rye plants. How wise it would be for farmers, then, if for no other account than this, and how easy for them too, not to plant the same crop on the same land annually, or even in a quick succes sion when they know the practice favors the propagation and perpetuity of these pests. Another consideration evincing a necessity for the practice of a succession of crops, is that the same plant will not flourish on the same soil, for an unlimited period, without imbecility and disease. Long since observation has shown that arable land though once bringing fine crops of corn, cotton or other vegetables, where from necessity or choice it has been planted to either of these crops without intermission, produced deli cate and sickly plants. True it is, that the na tive fertility and adaptability of the soil to pro duce these plants and their own innate charac ter have much influence in favor of the length of time they will grow on the same soil health fully. But oftentimes it seems unphilosophic and unsatisfactory, to attribute the decline in the condition of plants, to a deficiency or an excess of organic or inorganic food. For example, how often does it happen that we see an unfruitful crop of corn and cotton on land well drained, well prepared, manured and well cultivated, during a propitious season ? Observing farmers have often had occasion to notice, that when they planted a field in corn or cotton for several years, though a supply of manure amply suffi cient for the crop had been applied,'the yield per acre not unfrequently diminished annually when the seasons and all things else seemed equally favorable. Whether this fact depends on a peculiar disarrangement of the proportions of the elements of food as they primarily existed, or upon some deleterious property imparted by the plants in their transpiration and expiration, to the soil, or on some mechanical condition of the particles of the eurth induced by the roots of the plants, or the modefof culture which they require, is beyond our capacity to determine. — In regard to animals, only a higher order of ex istences, we know that their own excrementi tious matters are more liable to generate disease among thair own kind, than that of another kind, and why the same may not hold true in part in regard to plants, we can discern no de cided reason. Allowing this theory to be cor rect, we can easily account for many of the dis eases which attack the plants wo grow, which otherwise would be involved in mystery. We should at least be induced to practice rotation of crops, as a measure of prevention. Trusting enough has been advanced to con vince all unbiased minds of the value of a rota tion of crops as a means of prolonging and in creasing the productiveness of land, and staying, in a measure, the depredations of insects and the scourge of disease, we will proceed to give the system practiced by ourselves, not re commending it to be the best that can be. but only assuring the young man (we say young, because perhaps the old are joined to their idols) who will practice the same, or another based ou similar, or improved principles, will be, after a thorough trial, richly recompensed by witness ing the improvement of his land and remunera tive crops. The system of agriculture practiced in the Southern States, is too little diversified and too laborious to be attractive, and perhaps cannot as yet admit a rotation of cropping on the most scientific principles. The absorbing idea is money, but whether our present system of farm ing gives more of the article than another might, we will not undertake to say. Wc will say, however, that there is too much stress on the present, and too little regard for the future in volved in the treatment of lands. Many a young planter has started life with fertile land, and promised himself rich harvests unto the end, who, ere his course was run. found himself com pelled either to till land so exhausted as barely to afford subsistence, or to effect sale and move to where fresh land might be obtained. The delusive song, “It will last my lifetime,” engen dered indifference to the future, and no effort was made to economise and preserve tho resources of of his soil [to be continued.] —- -»•«- [Written for the Southern Field and Fireside.] ' Memphis, Texx., August 15, 1859. Dr. Lee— Dear Sir: As you have solicited information in regard to the cure of that fatal disease amongst cattle —the murrain—l will give you a brief history of the successful treat ment of a caso I had. My cow was a noble an imal, and a bountiful milker, and I therefore felt very anxious fbr her recovery. I used a great variety of remedies, aud, therefore I cannot say with jiositivo accuracy to which her cure is at tributable. lam very well convinced, however, that she derived more advantage from a drench of melted lard, and strong pepper tea and wheat bran, than anything else. I gave pint doses of the lard several times during the day, and in the interim pepper tea, thickened with bran, so that it would run from a large mouthed bottle. I should like for these remedies to be more thor oughly tested in other cases, and see if they would be equally efficacious. Please suggest them to any of your suffering friends, and if tlie result should be favorable, you might publish it in your excellent journal Very respectfully, W. J. Littlejohn. [W ritten for the Southern Field and Fireside.] RES OR MAT WHEAT Is better adapted for Southern culture , and the late white for Northern latitudes. This wheat should be particularly noticed by Southern farmers ; it has a great deal to recom mend it. In the first place it can be planted as late as the first of December, and not earlier than November, and is ripe for the sickle in May, whereas the late wheat is planted in October, and harvested in June. This difference of time in the latter, often subjects it to rust, fly, and other accidents usually attending this grain. It would be well, therefore, if time and circum stances permitted, to plant a crop of each, but for a sure crop the red May is best. In grinding, it makes superfine flour, and is as fine and as white as most families care for. I have traded a good deal in this wheat when residing in the upper part of South Carolina. Some farmers in Laurens district informed me that they did not lose a crop , while planting this early wheat, in twenty-seven years, while other farmers in the neighborhood who planted the late white, sel dom succeeded in making a full crop, and often times a bad failure. This, then, show's clearly the better adaptation of the one wheat over the other for our Southern soil. True, the late wheat makes the extra super fine flour and the grains heavier; but the disas ters attending the one and the certainty of the other in common seasons, should induce farmers to give it a trial. All wheat seed before plant ing should be first soaked in a solution of sulphate of copper, (Blue Stone) then rubbed in a mixture of slacked lime and wood ashes, this to be done w hile tho seed is wet. Respectfully, Chas. Pemble. [Written for the Southern Field and Fireside.] REMEDY FOR MURRAIN. Memphis, Aug. Bth, 1859. Editor of Southern Field and Fireside: I see in your paper of the date of June 11th, a communication from Mr. 11. Raiford, on Bloody Murrain in cattle. He gives a preventive which, I am assured by many who have tried it, is ex cellent, to wit, slacked lime and ashes: but he as serts that he has seen but two remedies sug gested for the cure of the disease, viz: cold-tar and sugar. I have been in the habit of using with uni form success the common poke-root, and have repeatedly cured cattle that were unable to stand. I pound a piece of the dry root about the size of a walnut, and give it every other day either in the food or by drawing out the tongue and placing the medicine with a spoon on the root of the tongue, and it will be sw'allowed on re leasing it. In the intermediate days I give i lb. of madder, and | lb. glauber salts to operate. Tho poke-root is tho best preventive I know, given once a week when the cattle are salted, in doses of a tablespoonful. If the root is green, dry it in an oven until it can be pounded fine. H. A WINE DRINKING NATION. Hon. James O. Putnam, now in Europe, writes from Spain to the Buffalo Advertiser an interest ing letter in regard to grape raising and wine making. In regard to intoxication he says : A few cents every where buys a bottle of wine, —its use is universal, —there is never a meal without it. What is tho effect of this abundance and this universal use upon the habits of the people 1 I can only answer that I have sought the most intelligent sources of information and have had but one reply, and that has been confirmed by my own observation, which has not been un inquisitive, that drunkenness is not a vice of the country, that excessive drinking of intoxicating liquors is notits habit; that while there are ex ceptional cases, as a nation it is one of sobriety. It is not true that there is no drunkenness ; but it is rare, not habitual even in individuals, and is not felt as a public evil. Nor is it true that tho wines drank in great excess will not intoxi cate. You will think my curiosity a little im pertinent—but I have visited hospitals both in Portugal aud Spain, and enquired of their phy sicians if they ever had cases of delirium, tre mens T —that scourge w hich in our country opens the gateway to death to so many gifted and no ble natures —and their universal reply has been that it was a disease unknown to the country.— Private practitioners told me the samo thing. During the three months I have spent in Spain I have seen but a single instance of intoxication; this was oua “ bull fight” day at Grenada. An other thing I have observed, there is in Spain no constant dram drinking. First let me say that the hotels in this country have no bar or saloon. Tho loungers, and the country swarms with them, visit the Cases and Club Houses. The hotels are as quiet as a private dwelling. But if you were to visit those evening resorts of the peo ple to see their life, you might find them all drinking, but most of them would be drinking nothing stronger than coffee or lemonade with out spirits of any sort. Not to particularize any farther, I will give you a single experience. It is a representative fact, and therefore more sig nificant. I mado the passage on tho Derenger, a Span ish steameT, from Cadiz to Havana—a voyage of twenty days. There were fifty-four first cab in, and fifty-seven second cabin passengers, among them half a dozen young army officers, on their way to their regiments in Havana. — There were but eight or ten ladies, and all the passengers but two were Spaniards. There was to bar or “saloon,” or anything answering to them on the steamer, nor is there on any of the Spanish steamers. The common wine of the country was furnished as part of the breakfast and dinner, of which all drank—but very mode rately and, so far as I observed, of nothing else. The only exceptions were a Frenchman, and a Spaniard who had spent his days in England. I never saw a passenger drinking spirits of any sort with these two exceptions, and those not to any excess, except at their meals. There could hardly have been more sobriety of conduct if it had been a body of delegates to a tempe rance convention. It was so novel a steamboat experience to me, that on my arrival at Havana I asked the steward what amount of liquors of all sorts had been sold during the voyage. And what result do you supppose the examination of his books gave us ? It revealed an aggregate sale of sixteen bottles of brandy, and twenty four bottles of extra wines to the whole one hundred and eleven passengers, all told, during the entire voyage of twehty days. Every evening would find fifteen or twenty passengers playing the usual steamboat games, but with no beverage but tea and coffee, is a spec tacle you must go beyond tho States to see. I was so impressed with this, to me entirely new observation in steamboat life, that I inquired of the commanding officer if this sobriety were usual. He assured me it was, remarkiug that the Spaniard was a very moderate drinker of the stronger liquors, but that men, women and chil dren drank tho wiues of the country at their meals. From the Floridian and Journal. . THE HEW CUBE FOB MEAT. Tallahassee, Aug. 4.1859. Messrs. Editors: In the Charleston Courier, of August 2d, is a notice of a “New Method ” of curing meat, for which a certain firm in Cincin nati have obtained a patent. However justly they may be entitled to the pecuniary benefits arising from their patent—a personal advantage which in our latitude is not commonly taken by inventors —they cannot rightly claim the dis tinction of priority in its discovery or practice. It is within a few months of ten years since my friend Lewis LeConte, now deceased, consulted me upon the anatomical possibility of saturating the entire animal by injecting briue through the carotid artery, and after a decided affirmative from me, put into successful practice this now called “now method.” This he continued to do from the winter of 1849-’SO to that of 1851-52 inclusively, three successive years. Nor did the idea originate with him; for, as he told me, he had read that at an agricultural Fair, some where in Europe, there was exhibited a leg of mutton cured in this way, and the question was then asked, ‘Why not cure bacon so ?’ Intending to attend the Fair of the Southern Central Agricultural Society, held at Macon, Ga., in the fall of 1852, Mr. LeConte had laid by half a dozen of his choicest hams for exhibition. He would also have made known and explained the process of curing. But, alas, for his family and the community in which he lived—for he was one of the most useful and public spirited citi zens of Liberty county —the week before the Fair, by a sad and terrible accident, his life was suddenly terminated, and the world at large de prived of this useful information, though in his county it was almost universally known. In April, 1851, I saw him salt three hogs by this process in about ten minures, and immedi ately they were cut up and hung in the smoke house, then heated with fire and smoke, and were perfectly cured. I observed the thermome ter the same day at 11 o’clock, A. M., and the mercury stood at 80 degrees Fah. Thus the “method” proved successful under the severest test. To many of my friends the above will be but a repetition of facts they have for several years past heard me relate, but to the public generally they may be interesting. I will add that the process is by no means dif ficult, as you will understand when I say that Mr. LeConte’s negro did it all. Very respectfully, G. Troup Maxwell. — i»i ■ WHY STEAM BOILERS EXPLODE. Steam boiler explosions are becoming every day occurrences, witfi results altogether too dis astrous to be quietly acquiesced in. The uncer tainty of the causes of these explosions seems hitherto to have rendered all “safety-valve” in ventions of little use. Explosions are attribut ed by many to electricity, inasmuch as steam is known to be an electric generator. Scientific men, however, assert that steam, when confined in a statejof rest, is not electric, but only when in motion, and argue that these explosions can nor be caused by electricity. At the meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Science, Mr. Hyatt, of New York, presented what the Springfield Kepublican believes to be the true cause. The Hejmblican gives Mr. Hyatt’s theory, which seems to be founded upon the principle that the pressure of steam increases very rapid ly by only a slight increase of heat A table is given, showing that the pressure is doubled by the addition of thirty-six degrees of heat above the boiling point. The pressure at the boiling point i$ fifteen pounds to the square inch. At 251 decree! of heat 80 pound! to square lnoh. 294 “ 60 “ “ 842 “ 120 “ * 842 “ 120 “ “ 898 “ 240 “ “ 464 “ 480 “ 868 “ 7,680 “ “ It was stated by Mr. Hyatt that, from exper iments he had made, this great increase of pres sure could be obtained in six or seven minutes with an engine at rest. This degree of heat, which produces 7,680 pounds pressure to the square inch, is not much of a heat after all, for lead does not melt till the thermometer indicates 620 degrees. This rapid doubling of pressure with but a small increase of heat is due to the conversion of what is termed latent heat in steam into sensible heat. If we immerse a ther mometer in boiling water, it stands at 212; if we place it in steam immediately above the wa ter, it indicates the same temperature. The < question then arises, what becomes of all the heat which is communicated to the water, since it is neither indicated by the water nor by the steam formed from it ? The answer is, it enters the water and converts it into steam without raising its One thousand degrees of heat are absorbed in the conversion of water into steam, and this is called its latent heat; and it is the sudden conversion of latent heat into sensible heat that produces the explosion. If an engine is stopped, even if there is but a mod erate fire, if the escape-valve is closed, there is a rapid absorption or accumulation of latent heat. The pressure rises with great rapidity, and when the engineer thinks everything is safe, the explosion comes. That this is the true cause of nearly all the explosions which occur, will be plain to every one who will look at the relations between latent and sensible heat. Prof. Henry and Prof. Silliman, jr., endorse the view. What, then, is the security against explosions ? We know of no securities but these —a sufficiency of water in the boilers, and the escape-valves open at light pressure when the engine is at rest. A safety invention for boilers on electric prin ciples, made by the late Richard L. Lloyd, is brought forward by Mr. Parry, in New Orleans. The new instrument is very simple in its con struction, consisting of a vertical rod passing through a metal collar, which screws into the top of the boiler. Attached to this vertical rod, inside of the boiler, is another rod with points, to ensure electrical attraction. At the top of the vertical rod is a ball and chain to carry off the current. The Tomato as Food—Dr. Bennett, a pro fessor of some celebrity, considers the tomato an invaluable article of diet, and ascribes to it very important medical properties: Ist. That the tomato is one of the most pow erful aperientß of the liver and other organs ; where calomel is indicated, it is probably one of the most effective and the least harmful remedial agents known to the profession. 2d. That a chemical extract will be obtained from it that will supersede the use of calomel in the cure of disease. 3. That he has successfully treated diarrhee with this article alone. 4th. That when used as an article of diet, it is almost sov ereign for dyspepsia and indigestion. sth That it should be constantly used for daily food; eith ' er cooked, raw, or in the form of catsup, it is the »most healthy article now in use. 111